Jeb Bush Not Likely to Ride to Rescue [Terri Schindler-Schiavo]

WorldNetDaily ^ | 2005-03-25 01:00 EST | Staff

[Messianic Jews Net]

STARVATION: DAY 8

Jeb Bush not likely to ride to rescue

Florida governor indicates he won't defy court order

Posted: March 25, 2005

1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

Those hoping Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will step forward to save Terri Schiavo from imminent, court-ordered starvation death are likely to be disappointed, based on his comments to a group of reporters following county court Judge George Greer's ruling against the state's effort to take custody of the brain-injured woman at the center of a worldwide euthanasia controversy.

While Bush reiterated his motivation to save Schiavo, based on new evidence that she is not in a persistent vegetative state and is, to some degree, conscious of her surroundings, the governor said "it isn't possible to remove her" from the hospice.

Earlier in the week, there were hints from the Bush administration that the Department of Children and Families might use force, if necessary, to stabilize Terri Schiavo and remove her from the facility.

"The judge is so focused on carrying out whatever decision he made years ago, that I guess the additional information he just rejected out of hand, and rejected the ability of the department to go in and stabilize her," he said. "It isn't possible right now to remove her. ... Given the fact that she's being starved to death it would be difficult to move her."

Bush downplayed the earlier reports about the possibility of action by the DCF.

"We never said that unilaterally we would do something that's against the court," he said. "I've been asked to do it by a lot of people – a lot of the advice I'm getting over the Internet and over television and the like. I know that there were lots of rumors of things that aren't accurate. I have a duty to uphold the law and I have been very consistent about that. It seemed like a big story that never was confirmed because it wasn't true. If we had that ability to do it, if there wasn't an injunction, we would do it right now. We would stabilize her by giving her hydration. We couldn't put a feeding tube in. There was already a court order in place. The opportunity we had was appealing his decision."

A prominent evangelical Christian leader yesterday urged Bush to disobey the judge's order barring the Florida governor from intervening to save the life of Terri Schiavo. In a statement shortly after Judge George Greer's decision, Rev. D. James Kennedy pointed to Bush "as the only legal authority who can save the life of Terri Schiavo."

Kennedy, president of Coral Ridge Ministries, said Bush "must act and he must act immediately on her behalf."

"He must disregard the order of Judge Greer," Kennedy said. "He has both the authority and the duty to do so under the state constitution."

Greer rejected Bush's request to grant the governor protective custody. On Wednesday he barred the Department of Children & Families from taking custody. Also yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request from Terri Schiavo's parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, for an emergency order allowing her feeding tube to be reinserted.

As WorldNetDaily reported, Bush appeared to be clearing the way for the possibility unilateral action when he appeared at a news conference Wednesday to confirm the DCF, under his authority, has the legal right to remove Terri Schiavo, by force if necessary, from the hospice where she has lived the past five years.

Bush said new information had come to light warranting intervention, including a review of Terri Schiavo's condition by neurologist Dr. William Cheshire, who claims she may have been misdiagnosed. Cheshire believes Schiavo to be in a "minimally conscious state," not a "persistent vegetative state" as Greer has determined.

"It is imperative that she be stabilized so the DCF team can fulfill their statute to review the facts surrounding the case," Bush said.

Kennedy said Bush should be commended for his efforts over the past two years – which include the state legislature's passage of "Terri's Law" – but he noted those efforts "thus far has proven fruitless." The law later was declared unconstitutional.

"Neither the state legislature nor the courts, state or federal, have been willing to act on behalf of this helpless woman who is now within hours of death," Kennedy said.

Kennedy points out the Florida Constitution states in Article I, Section 2, that "[a]ll natural persons, female and male alike, are equal before the law, and have inalienable rights, among which are the right to enjoy and defend life ... ." According to the Constitution, "no person shall be deprived of any right [including the right to enjoy life] because of ... physical disability."

Similar arguments were brought to Florida's capital this morning by former Judicial Watch Chairman Larry Klayman and former presidential candidate Alan Keyes. Keyes wrote a column published yesterday by WorldNetDaily, arguing for Bush to step in and save Schiavo amid judicial abuse of the separation of powers.

"I have talked to a whole lot of people that I respect, not just now but the first time when Terri's law was passed, to make the determination of what my powers are and they are not as expansive as people would want them to be," Bush said yesterday. "And I understand, they're acting on their heart and I fully appreciate their sentiments and the emotions that go with this, but .... I've consistently said that I can't go beyond what my powers are and I'm not going to do it. There are 90,000 abortions that take place in this state every year. That troubles me more than I can ever describe, but that doesn't mean that I have some secret powers to stop that. There are a lot of things that go on in society that trouble me and this is certainly one of them. To have someone starve to death troubles me greatly and we have done everything we can and we will continue to do so within the powers that I have."

Editor's note: WorldNetDaily has been reporting on the Terri Schiavo story since 2002 – far longer than any other national news organization – and exposing the many troubling, scandalous, and possibly criminal, aspects of the case that to this day rarely surface in news reports. Read WorldNetDaily's unparalleled, in-depth coverage of the life-and-death fight over Terri Schiavo, including over 150 original stories and columns.

[beyond the sea]

I just saw a Pubbie and a Dem political strategist on FNC singing kumbaya and saying can't we all get along? Terri's going to die, but we tried, c'est la vie. Nobody remembers the tsunami victims now. This will all go away.... -------- As a Dem who's been voting Pubbie for the last 7 years, all I can say is A POX ON BOTH THEIR HOUSES. ------------ We need a third party.

I hear you, it's all more than frustrating. I'm 58 years old and am very embittered by this whole disgusting episode, watching the Republicans show a spine last week (even though the Congessional route may not have been the best answer), and now apparently turning away from an imprisoned, starved, and innocent girl.

Please see post # 72 if you wish.

[MSCASEY]

I have answered your question. And do you really believe that it is Gods will that she would be dehydrated and starved to death? Do you really not see the evil that has been placed upon her by her husband, attorney and death judge?

Don't you think that if God wanted her home he would have taken her long ago? Did Jesus say something like I hunger and you fed me not. I thirst and you gave me no water.

NOT FTR I am right about your age. But I am not a day over 21 nor will I be next year! My kids already have me pegged. Mom how come you were 21 last year and your 21 again.

[mewzilla]

But, is 'winning in the end' the most important thing today? Well, sadly I guess it is. 'Doing the right thing' may not be.

It had better be. Or we'll find someone else to do it.

[TAdams8591]

I don't agree and neither does Ann Coulter and countless others.

Thomas More Law Center Response for Opinion on Schiavo Case supplied 10/15/2003

[texasflower]

Well, I don't see that you answered my question. I haven't seen anything that addresses whether or not you think God needs Jeb Bush to accomplish a miracle. Sure, God uses people all the time, but Jeb has been trying to save Terri for a very long time. Not just this latest episode, but before that as well.

Do you think God would want to ruin Governor Bush?

Do I think it's God's will to starve Terri to death? Of course not. But bad things happen all the time in this world.

Terri is not the only person in this situation in the US. It happens all the time.

Yes, I think God could have taken Terri at any time. But He didn't. So, I think she had a purpose to fulfill here. That purpose may be accomplished now and it's time for her to go home to God.

God's purpose is not always clear to us. But that doesn't mean there is not one.



(21. Yes, that's what I meant to say. I'm 21 also. That 45 was just a typo.....)

[backhoe]

I just saw a Pubbie and a Dem political strategist on FNC singing kumbaya and saying can't we all get along? Terri's going to die, but we tried, c'est la vie. Nobody remembers the tsunami victims now. This will all go away.... As a Dem who's been voting Pubbie for the last 7 years, all I can say is A POX ON BOTH THEIR HOUSES. We need a third party.

I agree with you. Mrs. B ( the New Deal Democrat I've mentioned before ) stayed up most of the night watching TV, hoping "somebody would do something." Finally fell asleep, and awoke disgusted with everyone involved in this sorry debacle. And so am I.

[sakic]

Thank you for posting this, I have always known that Michael caused Terri's problems.

I've never heard this before. What are you referring to?

[gentlestrength]

I wrote Gov. Bush after seeing him claim he's not going to go beyond the law and told him he HAS authority by God to love. Love is above the law.

I was so shocked to see him so weak in his faith, while trying to seem so noble when it comes to the law. It doesn't matter if we keep the law perfectly, go through all the 'right' avenues, but if a person dies, we are no better than the Pharisees.

[MSCASEY]

In what manner do you think Jeb would be ruined?

He will be harmed if he does not stand up and do more.

With therapy one day Terri will thank him. And if they get her out of the death squad hands, once her body is back up to where it was before they began to starve her, it will not take much from what I have read for her to swallow and speak more clearly. I think he would be quite the hero! And when she is seen on T.V. everyone will see that there have been major lies.

How do you know this is not what God wants? For Jeb to really step out and maybe this would help put the death cults out of business for a while. This would bring truth to light.

I know yours was a typo!

[texasflower]

I think Jeb would be subject to major attacks by the left if he did something outside of the law.

Impeachment is but one example. They wouldn't miss an opportunity like this. They would make every attempt to paint the republicans as lawless and telling them that we are trying to take over the country. It would be very effective and we would be damaged for a very long time. It would turn back the progress we have made. It would seriously damage the President. That political capital he has? It would be gone.

He could face criminal prosecution and subsequent damage to his reputation and that of the entire Bush family.

Other countries would ask why we are trying so hard to establish democracy and the rule of law in other countries, when we don't follow the rule of law ourselves. Our credibility would go down the drain. Reversal of the process of democracy in the middle east can occur.

Think of it, any third world dictator would watch the President of the United States and his brother disregard our laws. What do you think they would do? Ignore the rule of law in their own countries. That's what they would do.

That's enough, but I could go on.

Remember that public opinion polls are all coming up with the same result. Around 60 percent of respondents say that they would NOT be in favor of Jeb intervening in this fashion.

Why am I sure the polls are correct? Take a good look at our current poll. Even here, we are pretty much evenly split. So if we are split evenly, you know the general (and less informed) public are split about like they are saying.

That is another way our party and our President can be harmed.

I think you might have an unrealistic idea of how much Terri could recover. She is not going to get a lot of improvement, although I do believe she will get some. She may be able to swallow very soft foods, but she will not be likely to get all of her nutrition by mouth.

She might be able to make a few more sounds and maybe a word or two, but she isn't going be able to say much more than that.

I most certainly believe that quality of life is an individual decision and those things might well bring Terri and her family much joy.

I don't know for sure what God wants. None of us can be sure, but I have asked God that in quiet prayer. In my spirit, I feel that the time has come for Terri to go home to Jesus.

[G.Mason]

Welcome to FR.

Take a seat. There are a quite few over here in the very front row.

With the revelation ... "I knew it was just a 'fantasy' when I was dreaming of a heroic rescue for Terri." ... as your opening post, it won't be long before you become a Freeper to be reckoned with.

The bit about ... " transporting her to a military hospital where the evil doers could not have access to her" ... was especially heroic.

[MSCASEY]

Jeb is already being subject to attacks by the left.

When he took office he has an oath and duty to protect the citizens. CPS has a legal obligation and duty by the law.

Judges are not suppose to make laws but merely interpret them. This judge is making laws. Other judges have done the same thing. It is time these judges step back into line and allow our constitution and our agencies to work the way they are suppose to.

There are laws on the books and that judge is obstructing the law. And the consequence would be death. Is this what you believe other countries should see. England stood up for Terri long before people in America began to get involved.

And I will tell you something, I don't care about popularity. I care about doing the right thing.

Maybe God put Jeb in this position so that he could help.

Maybe he will be rewarded here for doing this but then again maybe he will be rewarded in heaven.

Think about it, when the day comes and the Jeb faces the Lord will he really be able to say I did EVERYTHING I could to stop them from murdering this woman.

I think this is a test. Will we pass or not!And if so will Jeb pass or not?

[Walkin Man]

I totally agree with you texasflower.

[texasflower]

What law are the courts breaking?

[texasflower]

Thanks Walkin Man. It's very nice to know that plenty of freepers still have their wits about them!

[engrpat]

I agree. I see nothing more Jeb can do.

Thank you for saying this. This is getting out of hand. In the end we are a nation of laws made by people and people can error. The solution would be changing the law. If we go off and try to ruin every politician, judge, lawyer, etc that we disagreed with then anarchy will rule the streets.

[YaYa123]

You said: "I will deal with it by doing the only rational thing I can do. I will stop all support of this government that I can legally drop."

I'm glad you live your life by being rational and legal, so I'm perplexed you would have Governor Bush to follow the irrational path of taking an illegal action.

[MSCASEY]

For one the CPS is legally bound to go and remove her. But Greer has threatened them with arrest. He is stopping them from
fulfilling their legal obligation. He also misappropriated funds that were set up for her care. He has not upheld his judicial duty and seen that she had the proper care. Now is is ordering her to be denied food and water.

Funny thing I have a feeling we will find out soon what is Gods Will one way or another.

I would not want to be around Florida.

[Melas]

Well, rather than a pundit known for her belligerence, I'm taking it straight from the horses mouth. If Jeb says it exceeds his authority, it exceeds his authority. Seems simple enough to me.

[texasflower]

I have a feeling we will find out soon what is Gods Will one way or another.

Finally. A point of agreement.